President Maithripala Sirisena assured the diplomatic community that his government will not hesitate to punish the offenders of human rights violations said to have taken place during the war after the conduct of a credible domestic inquiry through a judicial process into the allegations.

Meeting with the diplomatic corps in Colombo Friday, President Sirisena said foreign policy of the present government is to strengthen the cooperation with all countries and international organizations that extend support to all communities.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera delivered an address on the theme “Sri Lanka after the Presidential Election,” outlining the priorities of the government at the prestigious Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in Washington DC on 11th February 2015 to a full house.

The need to build genuine unity among all people of the country after the physical defeat of terrorism in 2009, the necessity to work with speed towards the eradication of poverty and the bringing of Constitutional changes to give effect to establishing a truly democratic country with the genuine sovereignty of Parliament as given in the recent mandate by the people were among the highlights of President Maithripala Sirisena’s address to the nations at the 67th Independence Day celebrations this morning.

President Sirisena also said the country would follow the middle path in foreign policy in friendship towards all countries, with due respect to the United Nations Charter and the conventions adopted by the United Nations.

Sri Lankan Government on Wednesday, February 4th 2015, six years after the end of the war, marked the 67th Independence Day with a special Statement of Peace at the ceremony, in a bid to push forward the reconciliation effort,

Immediately after President Maithripala Sirisena’s Address to the Nation, a special peace pledge was delivered in all three languages at the 67th Independence Day ceremony. This was in line with a key recommendation by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in its 2011 report.

Today we are celebrating the 67th anniversary of Independence while a civilized political culture is being created in our beloved motherland, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.

In his message to mark Independence Day today (Feb.04) he stated; “Once we gained independence, the challenge that we had to face was to safeguard that unity and marches towards the development of the country”.

On the 67th anniversary of independence, Sri Lanka, one of the oldest democracies in Asia has, in the face of many challenges, again proved its commitment to freedom and democracy through yet another peaceful transition of power.

Unlike in the Arab Spring where change was brought about by bullets, pellets and stones Sri Lanka’s ‘rainbow revolution’ was achieved by power of the ballot — paving the way for far-reaching constitutional reforms that will make Sri Lanka a modern 21st century democracy.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held official talks with visiting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia of the USA, Ms. Nisha Biswal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Assistant Secretary Biswal reviewed a range of bilateral issues. She conveyed the US Government’s desire to work closely with the newly elected government of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Justice K. Sripavan, the senior judge in the Supreme Court took his oaths as the new Chief Justice before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today (30).

Justice Sripavanwas born on 29 February 1952. He was educated at Jaffna Hindu College between 1962 and 1972. He joined Ceylon Law College in 1974 and passed out as an attorney at law in 1976, obtaining a first class in the Intermediate Examination.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera held talks with visiting British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Hugo Swire at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Minister Swire stated that the purpose of his visit was to convey the UK Government’s desire to work closely with the newly elected government of President Maithripala Sirisena and to convey a special message from Prime Minister David Cameron.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, concluded a two day official visit to Brussels today.Foreign Minister Samaraweera met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Didier Reynders and members of the European Parliament. He also held talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs & Fisheries, Mr. Karmenu Vella, and the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica.

The Interim Budget 2015 presented in Parliament today offering an array of relief to all sections of the society.

Ravi Karunanayake, in his capacity as Finance and Planning Minister presenting said the government believes in uplifting and developing the lives of every citizen of this country - not just a selected few.Salaries of state sector servants will be increased by Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 5000 will be given in February and remaining Rs. 5000 in June. Thereby state sector employees' salaries increased by 47%.Senior citizens with Rs. 1 million in their bank accounts will be given 15% interest rate.

Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India welcomes Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka on 19th January 2015 at the Official residence of the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the President Maithripala Sirisena. She received her letter of appointment from President Sirisena today (19th January 2015) at the Presidential Secretariat. Thereafter, Mrs Wagiswara assumed duties at the Ministry Office at a simple ceremony.

“I am convinced that the followers of the various religious traditions have an essential role to play in the delicate process of reconciliation and rebuilding which is taking place in this country”, said His Holiness Pope Francis speaking at the Bandaranaike International Airport upon his arrival, today (13).

“For that process to succeed all members of society must work together; all must have a voice”, he further said.

The visit of Your Holiness gives me an opportunity to receive your blessings as I commence my term of office, said President Maithripala Sirisena welcoming the Holy Father at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning (Jan. 13).

The President, wishing the Pope a most fruitful and memorable journey in Sri Lanka sought the blessings of the Holy Father on the people of Sri Lanka and requested his prayers for the peace progress and prosperity of the people.

His Holiness Pope Francis arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning (Jan. 13). The Holy Father was welcomed by President Maithripala Sirisena.

The special aircraft carrying Pope Francis and the Papal delegation touched down at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The main event in the Papal itinerary will be to declare Sri Lanka’s First Saint, Blessed Joseph Vaz, the Apostle of Sri Lanka, a Saint of the Universal Church at the Pontifical High Mass concelebrated with the Sri Lankan Cardinal and Bishops along with other clergy invited to participate at the special ceremony taking place for the first time in the annals of Sri Lanka. A stamp and a first day cover will be issued in honour of the Papal visit. A special gold coin is also to be issued.

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday announced that he will crusade for an economic, social and political transformation in the country as pledged in his election manifesto.

The President while stressing that he does not have any intention to contest for the second term of office, added that he is committed to build a society where freedom, democracy, people’s sovereignty and law and order reign.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has announced that following the Presidential election held yesterday that the Common Candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena has been elected as the new President of Sri Lanka.The newly elected President is to take oaths this evening.

Sri Lanka's 7th presidential election which commenced at 7am this morning concluded at 4pm. According to the Election Secretariat the election was held in a free and fair manner. Counting of postal votes has commenced and. the ballot boxes are now being dispatched to relevant counting centers.

On the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, His Holiness Pope Francis will pay a State Visit to Sri Lanka from 13th to 15th January 2015. The Government and people of Sri Lanka are looking forward to warmly welcoming His Holiness and his delegation.

All arrangements for the visit are in place and the required constructions are progressing on schedule including the altar at Galle Face Green where the Special Mass and the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, which will take place on Wednesday 14thJanuary.

Statistics released by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Tuesday showed that Sri Lanka had met its tourist arrival target of 1.5 million for the year 2014.

According to SLTDA figures, Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rose 16.1 percent in December last year compared to the same period in 2013 with the arrival of 178,672 tourists compared to the 153,918 arrived in December 2013.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya says that all arrangements are in place to hold a free and fair presidential election on the 8th of this month.

According to the Commissioner, ballot boxes will be handed over to the distribution centers today and the transfer of ballot boxes from the distribution centers to the counting centers will commence Wednesday morning.